Looks like hydrilla. Crankbait kryptonite but good for throwing frogs or flipping soft plastics into the holes in the mats

What he said 

Not a great pic, but looks like Chara/sandgrass/muskgrass to me (just different names used for the same plant - technically an algae).

I didn't think to give more info when I posted, sorry. This came from a farm pond and forms a thick layer covering the bottom and extends from shore about 20' out,

 

Right at shore it is right at the surface, but extends underwater until the water is about 5' deep or so. Then it seems to dissipate and go back to a rock/mud bottom.

 

I can see where bass make channels in it, and are hiding in it.

 

You can rip your lure through it and huge clumps will come up sometimes, but never with any roots that I've seen.

 

It has a sharp, pungent smell. Not pleasant. 

Do you have any other pictures? I’d say hydrilla as well based on that single picture.

No. Sorry about the pictures. I busted my phone, and have acquired a used phone now that doesn't have a great camera.

29 minutes ago, Bazoo said:

It has a sharp, pungent smell. Not pleasant

I'm with @Team9nine. It's a type of Chara. They call it skunk weed and musk grass for a reason.

Found this, again, not great.

38 minutes ago, Bazoo said:

Found this, again, not great.

That there is a jig skirt, green pumpkin pepper....... someone else is fishing that pond.

11 hours ago, Bazoo said:

 

 

It has a sharp, pungent smell. Not pleasant. 

 

10 hours ago, T-Billy said:

I'm with @Team9nine. It's a type of Chara. They call it skunk weed and musk grass for a reason.

Yep, that’s it - Chara, sandgrass, muskgrass, skunkweed…all the same thing. Holds bass all year long. 😎

1 hour ago, Bazoo said:

It has a sharp, pungent smell. Not pleasant. 

I fish a lake that has some parts of it choked out with chara. most anglers avoid it. I  catch lots of bass in it. The only treble hook lures I use are top waters and then only around the edges or lanes. Frogs, toads on top. Spinnerbaits around the edges. 

Thanks everyone. I do catch fish in it, mostly on the edge but occasionally over it.

 

A trap comes through it better than anything I've tried.

 

One of the things I've had good success with was running a crankbait right into the front edge of the inside grass line. Bass hold up in that and more times than I can count one will grab it.

While we are at it……..

 

anybody know this one ? 
 

@TnRiver46 looks like coontail. Also milfoil can look similar out of the water. One of those I would say. 

Russell

Cant really tell but if the edges look somewhat serrated coupled with the red spot where the leaves meet the stem that is new growth of Hydrilla 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

While we are at it……..

 

anybody know this one ? 
 

Milfoil I think

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

While we are at it……..

 

anybody know this one ? 
 

 

It is Coontail (Ceratophyllum) - has no true roots and kind of floats/suspends in the water column, often near the bottom, so it’s easy to pull up when snagged. Also pretty “crisp” or stiff.

 

Milfoil has similar feathery “leaves” but is soft and collapses on itself like a wet noodle when removed from the water. 

@Team9nine, so which one is it? 😂 

 

I don’t imagine we could have anything without roots because the current is strong all day and night

7 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

@Team9nine, so which one is it? 😂 

 

I don’t imagine we could have anything without roots because the current is strong all day and night

Coontail (edited reply above)

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

While we are at it……..

 

anybody know this one ? 
 

From that piece that is bent over near the top I'd say coontail.

Interesting. I fish another spot that I am pretty sure has coontail.

8 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

While we are at it……..

 

anybody know this one ? 
 

Seems like I've seen that before...... Oh yeah, now I remember...

On 9/20/2025 at 9:44 PM, Bazoo said:

Thanks everyone. I do catch fish in it, mostly on the edge but occasionally over it.

 

A trap comes through it better than anything I've tried.

 

One of the things I've had good success with was running a crankbait right into the front edge of the inside grass line. Bass hold up in that and more times than I can count one will grab it.

Also try a jerkbait at the deep edge, over it and in lanes. A fluke or trick worm is also a good bait for it.